ARMENIA TO STEP UP PRACTICAL, POLIT COOPERATION WITH NATO

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug. 8, 2006

YEREVAN, August 8 (Itar-Tass) – The main purpose of Armenia’s
foreign policy is "full-fledged integration into European bodies
and organizations," according to Armenia’s obligations within the
framework of the plan of individual partnership with NATO, a document
placed on the official website of the republic’s Ministry of Defense.

"Armenia intends to step up practical and political cooperation with
NATO with the purpose of closer rapprochement with the alliance,"
and the plan of individual partnership with NATO will be an important
instrument in this respect, the document said.

"Pursuing the integration into European bodies and organizations,
Armenia intends to expand its cooperation with the European Union,
considering full-fledged membership in the EU its priority objective,"
the document on Armenia’s obligations said.

It reiterated Yerevan’s commitment to "fully implement" the agreement
on security with NATO.

Armenia "will continue the formation of a peacekeeping battalion
conforming to NATO standards, counting on its further transformation
into a peacekeeping brigade."

Armenia also stated its intention to "revise its current practice and
security procedures" on its borders with the view of perfecting them.
Armenia’s state border with Turkey and Iran is guarded by Russian
border-guards.